The Congress made an offer to Maharashtra deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde to form an alliance with the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Former Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole even claimed that the opposition is ready to offer the Chief Minister's post to both Pawar and Shinde.
He took a dig at the state's ruling alliance, hinting that Congress would welcome both NCP chief Pawar as well as Shiv Sena president Shinde if tensions with Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis intensify.
"If Devendra Fadnavis is troubling you, we are ready to stand with you and form a government together," he told a news channel on the occasion of Holi. "The statement was made in a lighter vein for Holi," The Times of India said quoting Patole.
The Congress leader, however, added that he made the remarks on a light-hearted note on the event of the festival of colours. "I made the statement telling them 'bura na mano, Holi hai'. However, if Shinde and Ajit Pawar want to come, we will embrace them," he told TOI.
Patole indicated that both Pawar and Shinde are keen on becoming the Chief Minister. "We are with Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde and they should come with us. Since we are a national party, we will take care of them. We will make Ajit Pawar the Chief Minister for some days and Eknath Shinde for some days," Patole added.
Pawar and Shinde have not yet responded to Patole's offer.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal declined to provide further details on party leader Patole's statement. He too said, "Bura na mano, Holi hai. I won't speak further," Sapkal told TOI.
Patole has been critical of both Pawar and Shinde's political approach and said stated that the two leaders no longer prioritise the state's development.
"Earlier, these two leaders prioritized Maharashtra's development and collaborated across party lines. But after coming under Modi's influence, they've started exaggerating and distorting facts. I urge them to spurn negativity and focus on welfare of the people," he added.
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